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OMY RESPIRATOR CLEARANCE POLICY
Respirator use places a physical burden on the wearer. Medical exams are required to determine whether an employee is fit to use a respirator. In response to the Respiratory Protection Law (29 CFR 1910.134), OMY is instituting the following policies regarding Written Respirator Clearances.
Requirements for a written respirator clearance will be the following:
Minimum for OMY Clients: Pulmonary function test, blood pressure, and pulmonary history. Anyone with an abnormal PFT, blood pressure, or positive medical history will be required to have a hands-on physical by a one of our Licensed Health Care Professionals in order to receive a written clearance (if qualified).
Full Respirator Clearance Physical: This is preferred by our Medical Director and gives a better picture of the employee’s health and ability to withstand respirator use. The physical includes: Hands-on physical by a Licensed Health Care Professional, pulmonary function test, blood pressure, medical history, and written respirator clearance for those employees who qualify.
As per 29 CFR 1910.134, the Pulmonary Function History Form must be filled out in it’s entirety by the employee. If not, the form will be sent back to the company for completion and a Respirator Clearance will not be issued until OMY receives the completed form. This medical history form is an OSHA requirement.
Results:
As per 29 CFR 1910.134:
When Pulmonary Function History Forms are sent to the Company, Employers/Supervisors must not look at or review the answers. The company will receive only the Written Respirator Clearance informing them as to whether the employee is cleared to wear a respirator, approval is pending, or the respirator is for emergency use only. The clearance will tell the company the length of time for which the clearance is valid (usually one year).
The Company will also receive a copy of the written respirator clearance to give to the employee. For any abnormal results, the company will receive medical records in a sealed envelope to give to the employee. These records will be accompanied by a Respiratory Clearance Results Release Form. OMY will keep all medical records on file.
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